y:

"Oh no! Father would doubtless have shown it to me had he wished me to
see it. I would not like to without his consent." Then she added,
doubtless fearing lest her delicacy of view should give offence to the
rest of us:

"Of course it is right that you should see it. You have to examine and
consider everything; and indeed--indeed I am grateful to you..."

She turned away; I could see that she was crying quietly. It was
evident to me that even in the midst of her trouble and anxiety there
was a chagrin that she knew so little of her father; and that her
ignorance had to be shown at such a time and amongst so many strangers.
That they were all men did not make the shame more easy to bear, though
there was a certain relief in it. Trying to interpret her feelings I
could not but think that she must have been glad that no woman's
eyes--of understanding greater than man's--were upon her in that hour.

When I stood up from my examination, which verified to me that of the
Doctor, the latter resumed his place beside the couch and went on with
his ministrations. Superintendent Dolan said to me in a whisper:

"I think we are fortunate in our doctor!" I nodded, and was about to
add something in praise of his acumen, when there came a low tapping at
the door.

Chapter II

Strange Instructions

Superintendent Dolan went quietly to the door; by a sort of natural
understanding he had taken possession of affairs in the room. The rest
of us waited. He opened the door a little way; and then with a gesture
of manifest relief threw it wide, and a young man stepped in. A young
man clean-shaven, tall and slight; with an eagle face and bright, quick
eyes that seemed to take in everything around him at a glance. As he
came in, the Superintendent held out his hand; the two men shook hands
warmly.

"I came at once, sir, the moment I got your message. I am glad I still
have your confidence."

"That you'll always have," said the Superintendent heartily. "I have
not forgotten our old Bow Street days, and I never shall!" Then,
without a word of preliminary, he began to tell everything he knew up
to the moment of the newcomer's entry. Sergeant Daw asked a few
questions--a very few--when it was necessary for his understanding of
circumstances or the relative positions of persons; but as a rule
Dolan, who knew his work thoroughly, forestalled every query, and
explained all necessary matters as he went on. Sergeant D